Atlanta, GA – On a sunny afternoon in Atlanta, hundreds of runners laced up their sneakers and took to the West End Trail of the Atlanta Beltline to honor Ahmaud Arbery, a young man whose life was tragically cut short five years ago while he was out for a run. The event, marked by a distance of 2.23 miles, symbolized the date of Arbery’s untimely death and brought together running enthusiasts from across the community to stand against racial injustice and violence.
Among the participants were members from local running clubs like the South Fulton Running Partners, Movers and Pacers, and Black Men Run. These groups, along with other community members, united to remember Arbery and underscore the importance of safety and inclusivity in public spaces. Wanda Cooper Jones, Arbery’s mother, joined the crowd, bringing a palpable sense of purpose to the gathering.
Black Men Run, a national organization that promotes health and wellness among Black men, expanded the memorial run to a national level by collaborating with REI Co-op. Together, they hosted similar runs in other U.S. cities including San Francisco, Washington D.C., Denver, and Seattle, turning the local memorial into a nationwide event of remembrance and solidarity.
Edward Walton, Co-founder and CEO of Black Men Run, emphasized the broader message of unity and equality. “Today, as we run, we remember Ahmaud’s life and the need to work towards an equal society fervently, where hatred finds no harbor,” Walton said. He reiterated the importance of the community’s commitment to ensuring that Arbery’s death was not in vain.
The runners, many of whom shared personal connections to running and community safety, vocalized their reasons for participating. Shannon Booker, a longtime member of Movers and Pacers, expressed a sentiment resonating with many: “No one should ever have to fear for their safety when stepping out for a run. This memorial run reminds us of that fundamental right.”
Safety precautions have indeed become a heightened concern for runners like Hughes, who admitted that since Arbery’s death, he has taken greater steps to ensure his own safety while running. This includes planning his routes more carefully and staying connected with loved ones during his runs.
His wife, Kirsten Hughes, shared the sentiment, explaining how the event of Arbery’s death altered her own perspective on running. “The tragedy instilled a sense of fear that was hard to shake,” she said. However, she continued running, often accompanied by her dog, to maintain her mental health and show resilience.
The legal aftermath of Arbery’s death led to significant judicial actions. Travis McMichael, his father, Greg McMichael, and William “Roddie” Bryan, involved in the incident, were found guilty of murder in 2021 and later convicted of federal hate crimes, shedding light on the racial motives behind the killing.
The Georgia House of Representatives recognized the impact of this event by passing a resolution in 2022 that designates February 23 as Ahmaud Arbery Day. This act encourages people to engage in a 2.23-mile run annually to honor Arbery’s memory and support community solidarity.
As the runners embarked on their route, emotions ranged from sorrow to determination, reflective of Cooper Jones’s final words to the participants: “Thank you for continuing to run with Ahmaud,” she said, encapsulating the day’s dual themes of remembrance and collective action.